Blackburn Rovers set to beat Sheffield Wednesday to MLS transfer deal as fee details emerge | OneFootball

Highlights

Blackburn Rovers are closing in on the signing of striker Duncan McGuire from Orlando City.

That's according to National World journalist Chris Wheatley, who says that the Ewood Park club could be set to beat Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday to the signing of the 22-year-old.

McGuire impressing for Orlando City

The striker only joined Orlando City at the start of last year, after being selected in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft.

McGuire then went onto enjoy an impressive debut campaign with the club, scoring 15 goals and providing three assists in 37 appearances in all competitions.

That form saw the striker handed his senior international debut by the USA in a friendly with Slovenia earlier this month, while a number of clubs have been credited with an interest in his services.

Now however, it seems as though Ewood Park could well be the next destination for McGuire, in the final days of the January transfer window.

Blackburn close to beating Sheffield Wednesday to MLS striker signing

According to this latest update from Wheatley, Blackburn are now close to completing the signing of McGuire.

It is thought that Rovers are set to pay a fee in the region of £2.3million to secure the services of the 22-year-old.

Sheffield Wednesday are also thought to be in the race for the Orlando striker, but Blackburn are said to have offered a more suitable payment structure for the MLS side.

Indeed, Daily Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath has now reported that McGuire is travelling to England to undergo a medical and complete a move before the deadline, after a fee was agreed between the two sides.

The Athletic's Tom Bogert meanwhile, has reported that Blackburn will pay an initial fee of nearly $4million to sign the striker, with a further $2.5million in add-ons, and Oralndo retaining a sell-on percentage in the striker.

If confirmed, the striker could become Blackburn's fourth signing of the January transfer window.

The Ewood Park club have already signed left-back Ben Chrisene and midfielder Yasin Ayari on loan from Aston Villa and Brighton respectively.

Meanwhile, centre-back Connor O'Riordan has joined on a permanent deal from Crewe Alexandra for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-and-a-half-year deal.

Blackburn and Sheffield Wednesday in challenging positions

It has been a tough period for both of these Championship sides recently. Blackburn have won just one of their last ten league games, sliding to 17th in the table, eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Sheffield Wednesday meanwhile are 23rd in the standings, six points from safety, following their promotion via the League One play-offs last season.

Blackburn are next in action when they host QPR at Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon, while the Owls host Watford at Hillsborough on Wednesday night.

McGuire could be an excellent signing from Blackburn

This does feel as though it would be an excellent piece of business for Blackburn to get done.

So far this season, they have scored just four Championship goals through their current centre forward options, while squandering numerous chances to score more goals that would have added to their points tally.

Given McGuire's goalscoring record with Orlando, he is a player who may well be able to help remedy that situation, and he may offer them something different as an out-and-out physical centre forward presence.

The nature of this deal also feels like something of a statement of intent given the questions over finances at Ewood Park recently, so this ought to be one for Blackburn Rovers fans to get excited about.